Second musical afternoon to support food bank

AMHERST – A group of Amherst and area musicians are coming together Sunday to raise money for an important cause.

A year after raising more than $5,000 for the Amherst Food Assistance Network, the musicians are planning another afternoon of music on Sept. 22 at the Amherst First Baptist Church.

"Last year's event was a huge success and the food bank is a very important organization in the community," organizer Roy Pettigrew said. "We're hoping to raise as much as we did last year because there's no doubting the food bank needs the community's help to meet the demand."

Doors open at the church at 1 p.m. with the show starting an hour later.

Among the bands performing are the Jim Richards Band from Truro, Mike Blakeney and Drew Moore, LP Express, Arnie's Bluegrass Band, Just Friends and a number of other groups and musicians.

Tickets are $10 and are available in advance at the church, Breakfast at Brittney's, Duncan's Pub, Atlantic Kia, Thompson Brothers, the food bank, Scotiabank mall branch.

Bill Kane said the food bank served about 770 people last month.

"We saw 20 new families that we've never had as clients before," Kane said. "Along with food donations, monetary donations go a long way to helping meet the needs of our clients."

The event is being sponsored by Atlantic Kia, Thompson Brothers and Breakfast at Brittney's.

Maureen Penny, manager of the Amherst Centre Scotiabank, said the food bank is very important to the community and is a priority for the bank to support.

“It’s one of those things in the community that makes a difference for a lot of people. It’s something we feel is an important part of our community and something we want to support in every way we can,” Penny said.

The bank’s community team community program has benefitted numerous charities in the area by providing matching funds with Scotiabank employees working on various fundraising projects.

Last year, the branch contributed $42,313 to various charities including the food bank, Christmas for Kids, Relay for Life, the Rotary Radio and TV Auction, the Highland Fling and the Cumberland Health Care Foundation.

The musical fundraiser is just upcoming event in support of the food bank. The Amherst Y Service Club and Y's Menettes are holding their annual fall food drive on Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to noon.